“Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”—Jude 3
Vol. I. No. 1 Los Angeles, Cal., September, 1906 Subscription Free
The power of God now has this city agitated as never before. Pentecost has surely come and with it the Bible evidences are following, many being converted and sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as they did on the day of Pentecost. The scenes that are daily enacted in the building on Azusa street and at Missions and churches in other parts of the city are beyond description, and the real revival has only started, as God has been working with His children mostly, getting them through to Pentecost, and laying the foundation for a mighty wave of salvation among the unconverted.
The meetings are held in an old Methodist church that had been converted in part into a tenement house, leaving a larger unplastered, barn-like room on the ground floor. Here about a dozen congregated each day, holding meetings on Bonnie Brae in the evening. The writer attended a few of these meetings and being so different from anything he had seen and not hearing any speaking in tongues, he branded the teaching as third-blessing heresy, and thought that settled it. It is needless to say the writer was compelled to do a great deal of apologizing and humbling himself to get right with God.
In a short time God began to manifest His power and soon the building could not contain the people. Now the meetings continue all day and into the night and the fire is kindling all over the city and surrounding towns. Proud, well-dressed preachers come in to "investigate." Soon their high looks are replaced with wonder, then conviction comes, and very often you will find them in a short time wallowing on the dirty floor, asking God to forgive them and make them as little children.
It would be impossible to state how many have been converted, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost. They have been and are daily going out to all points of the compass to spread this wonderful gospel.
Bro. W. J. Seymour has the following to say in regard to his call to this city:
"It was the divine call that brought me from Houston, Texas, to Los Angeles. The Lord put it in the heart of some of the saints in Los Angeles to write to me that she felt the Lord would have me come over here and do a work, and l came, for I felt it was the leading of the Lord. The Lord sent the means, and I came to take charge of a mission on Santa Fe Street, and one night they locked the door against me, and afterwards got Bro. Roberts, the president of the Holiness Association, to come down and settle the doctrine of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, that it was simply sanctification. He came down and a good many holiness preachers with him, and they stated that sanctification was the baptism with the Holy Ghost. But yet they did not have the evidence of the second chapter of Acts, for when the disciples were all filled with the Holy Ghost, they spoke in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. After the president heard me speak of what the true baptism of the Holy Ghost was, he said he wanted it too, and told me that when I had received it to let him know. So I received it and let him know. The beginning of the Pentecost started in a cottage prayer meeting at 214 Bonnie Brae."
Bro. Chas. Parham, who is God's leader in the Apostolic Faith Movement, writes from Tonganoxie, Kansas, that he expects (D.V.) to be in Los Angeles Sept. 15. Hearing that Pentecost had come to Los Angeles, he writes, "I rejoice in God over you all, my children, though I have never seen you; but since you know the Holy Spirit's power, we are baptized by one Spirit into one body. Keep together in unity till I come, then in a grand meeting let all prepare for the outside fields. I desire, unless God directs to the contrary, to meet and to see all who have the full gospel when I come."
This work began about five years ago last January, when a company of people under the leadership of Chas. Parham, who were studying God's word, tarried for Pentecost in Topeka, Kan. After searching through the country everywhere, they had been unable to find any Christians that had the true Pentecostal power. So they laid aside all commentaries and notes and waited on the Lord, studying His word, and what they did not understand they got down before the bench and asked God to have wrought out in their hearts by the Holy Ghost. They had a prayer tower from which prayers were ascending night and day to God. After three months, a sister who had been teaching sanctification for the baptism with the Holy Ghost, one who had a sweet, loving experience and all the carnality taken out of her heart, felt the Lord lead her to have hands laid on her to receive the Pentecost. So when they prayed, the Holy Ghost came in great power and she commenced speaking in an unknown tongue. This made all the Bible school hungry, and three nights afterward, twelve students received the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, and cloven tongues could be seen upon their heads. They then had an experience that measured up with the second chapter of Acts, and could understand the first chapter of Ephesians.
Now after five years something like 13,000 people have received this gospel. It is spreading everywhere, until churches who do not believe backslide and lose the experience they have. Those who are older in this movement are stronger, and greater signs and wonders are following them.
The meetings in Los Angeles started in a cottage meeting, and the Pentecost fell there three nights. The people had nothing to do but wait on the Lord and praise Him, and they commenced speaking in tongues, as they did at Pentecost, and the Spirit sang songs through them.
The meeting was then transferred to Azusa Street, and since then multitudes have been coming. The meetings begin about ten o'clock in the morning and can hardly stop before ten or twelve at night, and sometimes two or three in the morning, because so many are seeking, and some are slain under the power of God. People are seeking three times a day at the altar and row after row of seats have to be emptied and filled with seekers. We cannot tell how many people have been saved, and sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost, and healed of all manner of sicknesses. Many are speaking in new tongues, and some are on their way to the foreign fields, with the gift of the language. We are going on to get more of the power of God.
Many have laid aside their glasses and had their eyesight perfectly restored. The deaf have had their hearing restored.
A man was healed of asthma of twenty years standing. Many have been healed of heart trouble and lung trouble.
Many are saying that God has given the message that He is going to shake Los Angeles with an earthquake. First, there will be a revival to give all an opportunity to be saved. The revival is now in progress.
The Lord has given the gift of writing in unknown languages, also the gift of playing on instruments.
A little girl who walked with crutches and had tuberculosis of the bones, as the doctors declared, was healed and dropped her crutches and began to skip about the yard.
All over this city, God has been setting homes on fire and coming down and melting and saving and sanctifying and baptizing with the Holy Ghost.
Many churches have been praying for Pentecost, and Pentecost has come. The question is now, will they accept it? God has answered in a way they did not look for. He came in a humble way as of old, born in a manger.
The secular papers have been stirred and published reports against the movement, but it has only resulted in drawing hungry souls who understand that the devil would not fight a thing unless God was in it. So they have come and found it was indeed the power of God.
Jesus was too large for the synagogues. He preached outside because there was not room for him inside. This Pentecostal movement is too large to be confined in any denomination or sect. It works outside, drawing all together in one bond of love, one church, one body of Christ.
A Mohammedan, a Soudanese by birth, a man who is an interpreter and speaks sixteen languages, came into the meetings at Azusa Street and the Lord gave him messages which none but himself could understand. He identified, interpreted and wrote a number of the languages.
A brother who had been a spiritualist medium and who was so possessed with demons that he had no rest, and was on the point of committing suicide, was instantly delivered of demon power. He then sought God for the pardon of his sins and sanctification, and is now filled with a different spirit.
A little girl about twelve years of age was sanctified in a Sunday afternoon children's meeting, and in the evening meeting she was baptized with the Holy Ghost. When she was filled those standing near remarked, "Who can doubt such a clear case of God's power."
In about an hour and a half, a young man was converted, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost, and spoke with tongues. He was also healed from consumption, so that when he visited the doctor he pronounced his lungs sound. He has received many tongues, also the gift of prophecy, and writing in a number of foreign languages, and has a call to a foreign field.
Many are the prophesies spoken in unknown tongues and many the visions that God is giving concerning His soon coming. The heathen must first receive the gospel. One prophecy given in an unknown tongue was interpreted, "The time is short, and I am going to send out a large number in the Spirit of God to preach the full gospel in the power of the Spirit."
About 150 people in Los Angeles, more than on the day of Pentecost, have received the gift of the Holy Ghost and the Bible evidence, the gift of tongues, and many have been saved and sanctified, nobody knows how many. People are seeking at the altar three times a day and it is hard to close at night on account of seekers and those who are under the power of God
When Pentecostal lines are struck, Pentecostal giving commences. Hundreds of dollars have been laid down for the sending of missionaries and thousands will be laid down. No collections are taken for rent, no begging for money. No man's silver or gold is coveted. The silver and the gold are His own to carry on his own work. He can also publish his own papers without asking for money or subscription price.
In the meetings, it is noticeable that while some in the rear are opposing and arguing, others are at the altar falling down under the power of God and feasting on the good things of God. The two spirits are always manifest, but no opposition can kill, no power in earth or hell can stop God's work, while He has consecrated instruments through which to work.
Many have received the gift of singing as well as speaking in the inspiration of the Spirit. The Lord is giving new voices, he translates old songs into new tongues, he gives the music that is being sung by the angels and has a heavenly choir all singing the same heavenly song in harmony. It is beautiful music; no instruments are needed in the meetings.
A Nazarene brother who received the baptism with the Holy Ghost in his own home in family worship, in trying to tell about it, said, "It was a baptism of love. Such abounding love! Such compassion seemed to almost kill me with its sweetness! People do not know what they are doing when they stand out against it. The devil never gave me a sweet thing; he was always trying to get me to censuring people. This baptism fills us with divine love"
The gift of languages is given with the commission, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." The Lord has given languages to the unlearned, Greek, Latin, Hebrew, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Zulu and languages of Africa, Hindu and Bengali and dialects of India, Chippewa and other languages of the Indians, Esquimaux, the deaf mute language and, in fact the Holy Ghost speaks all the languages of the world through His children.
A minister says that God showed him twenty years ago that the divine plan for missionaries was that they might receive the gift of tongues either before going to the foreign field or on the way. It should be a sign to the heathen that the message is of God. The gift of tongues can only be used as the Spirit gives utterance. It cannot be learned like the native tongues, but the Lord takes control of the organs of speech at will. It is emphatically, God's message.
During a meeting at Monrovia, a preacher who at one time had been used of God in the Pentecost Bands under Vivian Dake, but had cooled off, was reclaimed, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. When the power of God came on him his eight-year-old son was kneeling behind him. The boy had previously sought and obtained a clear heart, and when the Holy Ghost fell on his father, He also fell on him and his hands began to shake and he sang in tongues.
Bro. Campbell, a Nazarene brother, 83 years of age, who had been for 53 years serving the Lord, received the baptism with the Holy Ghost and gift of tongues in his own home. His son, who was a physician, was called and came to see if he was sick, but found him only happy in the Lord. Not only old men and old women, but boys and girls, are receiving their Pentecost. Viola Price, a little orphan colored girl eight years of age, has received the gift of tongues.
Mrs. Lucy F. Farrow, God's anointed handmaid, who came some four months ago from Houston, Texas, to Los Angeles, bringing the full Gospel, and whom God has greatly used as she laid her hands on many who have received the Pentecost and the gift of tongues, has now returned to Houston, en route to Norfolk, Va. This is her old home which she left as a girl, being sold into slavery in the south. The Lord she feels is now calling her back. Sister Farrow, Bro. W.J. Seymour and Bro. J.A. Warren were the three that the Lord sent from Houston as messengers of the full gospel.
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Stands for the restoration of the faith once delivered unto the saints – the old time religion, camp meetings, revivals, missions, street and prison work and Christian Unity everywhere.
Teaching on Repentance – Mark 1:14, 15.
Godly Sorrow for Sin, Example – Matt. 9:13. 2 Cor. 7, 9, 11. Acts 3:19. Acts 17:30, 31.
Of Confession of Sins – Luke 13:21 and Luke 18:13.
Forsaking Sinful Ways – Isa. 55:7. Jonah 3:8. Prov. 28:13.
Restitution –Ezek. 33:15. Luke 19:8.
And faith in Jesus Christ.
First Work – Justification is that act of God's free grace by which we receive remission of sins. Acts 10:42, 43. Rom. 3:25.
Second Work – Sanctification is the second work of grace and the last work of grace. Sanctification is that act of God's free grace by which He makes us holy. John 17:15, 17.—"Sanctify them through Thy Truth; Thy word is truth." 1 Thess. 4:3; 1 Thess 5:23: Heb. 13:12; Heb. 2:11; Heb. 12:14.
Sanctification is cleansing to make holy. The Disciples were sanctified before the Day of Pentecost. By a careful study of Scripture you will find it is so now. "Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (John 15:3; 13:10); and Jesus had breathed on them the Holy Ghost (John 20:21, 22). You know, that they could not receive the Spirit if they were not clean. Jesus cleansed and got all doubt out of His Church before He went back to glory.
The Baptism with the Holy Ghost is a gift of power upon the sanctified life; so when we get it we have the same evidence as the Disciples received on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:3,4), in speaking in new tongues. See also Acts 10:45, 46; Acts 19:6; 1 Cor. 14:21. “For I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe though it be told you."-Hab. 1:5.
Seeking Healing.—He must believe that God is able to heal.-Ex. 15:26: "I am the Lord that healeth thee." James 5:14; Psa. 103:3; 2 Kings 20:5; Matt. 8:16, 17; Mark 16; 16, 17, 18.
He must believe God is able to heal. "Behold I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there any thing too hard for Me"-Jer. 32:27.
Too many have confused the grace of Sanctification with the endowment of Power, or the Baptism with the Holy Ghost; others have taken "the anointing that abideth" for the Baptism, and failed to reach the glory and power of a true Pentecost.
The blood of Jesus will never blot out any sin between man and man they can make right; but if we can't make wrongs right the Blood graciously covers. (Matt. 5:23, 24).
We are not fighting men or churches, but seeking to displace dead forms and creeds and wild fanaticisms with living, practical Christianity. "Love, Faith, Unity" are our watchwords, and "Victory through the Atoning Blood" our battle cry. God's promises are true. He said: "Be thou faithful over a few things, and I will make thee ruler over many." From the little handful of Christians who stood by the cross when the testings and discouragements came, God has raised a mighty host.
An editor in Salem, Ore., Rev. M.L. Ryan, writes: "When I finished reading in your letter of what God was doing in Los Angeles, I fell on my knees and agonized Godward a bursting soul of appreciation; a great and blessed conviction seized me, and I rushed out of the office shouting and praising God. The fire had struck my soul. I then read the wonderful works of God in Los Angeles to others and a little crowd gathered around me; they too caught the fire of the spirit in the letter and some shouted and some wept.
The disciples were looking for Jesus to set up His millennial kingdom at His first coming, and they expected to reign with Him there in Jerusalem. They asked Him when they went out to the Mount of Olives, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said, "It is not for you to know the times and seasons which the Father hath in his own power; but ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." When they received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, He would teach them things to come. Dear ones do not puzzle yourselves by theorizing, but tarry in Jerusalem, and the Spirit will throw light upon God's word and you will see it just as it is. He will reveal the whole word from Genesis to Revelations.
Children of God, partakers of the precious atonement, let us study and see what there is in it for us.
First. Through the atonement we receive forgiveness of sins.
Second. We receive sanctification through the blood of Jesus. "Wherefore Jesus also that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate." Sanctified from all original sin, we become sons of God. "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren." Heb. 2:11. (It seems that Jesus would be ashamed to call them brethren, if they were not sanctified.) Then you will not be ashamed to tell men and demons that you are sanctified, and are living a pure and holy life free from sin, a life that gives you power over the world, the flesh, and the devil. The devil does not like that kind of testimony. Through this precious atonement, we have freedom from all sin, though we are living in this old world, we are permitted to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Third. Healing of our bodies. Sickness and disease are destroyed through the precious atonement of Jesus. O how we ought to honor the stripes of Jesus, for "with his stripes we are healed." How we ought to honor that precious body which the Father sanctified and sent into the world, not simply set apart, but really sanctified, soul, body and spirit, free from sickness, disease and everything of the devil. A body that knew no sin and disease was given for these imperfect bodies of ours. Not only is the atonement for the sanctification of our souls, but for the sanctification of our bodies from inherited disease. It matters not what has been in the blood.
Every drop of blood we received from our mother is impure. Sickness is born in a child just as original sin is born in the child. He was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. Every sickness is of the devil.
Man in the Garden of Eden was pure and happy and knew no sickness till that unholy visitor came into the garden, then his whole system was poisoned and it has been flowing in the blood of all the human family down the ages till God spoke to his people and said, "I am the Lord that healeth thee." The children of Israel practiced divine healing. David, after being healed of rheumatism, (perhaps contracted in the caves where he hid himself from his pursuers,) testified saying, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name, who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases." David knew what it was to be healed. Healing continued with God's people till Solomon's heart was turned away by strange wives, and he brought in the black arts and mediums, and they went whoring after familiar spirits. God had been their healer, but after they lost the Spirit, they turned to the arm of flesh to find something to heal their diseases.
Thank God, we have a living Christ among us to heal our diseases. He will heal every case. The prophet had said, "With his stripes we are healed," and it was fulfilled when Jesus came. Also "He hath borne our griefs," (which means sickness, as translators tell us.) Now if Jesus bore our sicknesses, why should we bear them? So we get full salvation through the atonement of Jesus.
Fourth. And we get the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire upon the sanctified life. We get Christ enthroned and crowned in our hearts. Let us lift up Christ to the world in all His fullness, not only in healing and salvation from all sin, but in His power to speak all the languages of the world. We need the triune God to enable us to do this.
We that are the messengers of this precious atonement ought to preach all of it, justification, sanctification, healing, the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and signs following. "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" God is now confirming His word by granting signs and wonders to follow the preaching of the full gospel in Los Angeles. W.J. Seymour.
People from all over the country are sending in letters of inquiry, having heard that Pentecost has come to Los Angeles. Some have come long distances and report that the half had not been told them. Through this paper we answer inquiries, as it would be impossible to write to each. Souls are hungry all over the land.
Man is a fallen creature, and as such cannot receive the things of the kingdom of heaven, because they are spiritual and "foolishness unto him." He must be born again to understand God and His word. God recognizes this, and all through the ages has granted signs and wonders to awaken man from his spiritual death and turn him to seeking after God.
If you will turn to Mark 16:14, you will read as follows: "Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen." You see that after these men had been personally with Jesus for something like three years, and had witnessed His mighty power in raising the dead and performing all manner of miracles, in a few hours after His crucification, had allowed Satan to harden their hearts and fill them with unbelief. They were also sanctified, as we read in John 17:17, Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." This prayer was undoubtedly answered, as Jesus never prayed in vain. In John 15:3, we read, "Now are ye clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." In John 20:22, we read, "And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said unto them, receive ye the Holy Ghost." By comparing the gospel of Mark referred to above with this message from John just quoted, we believe both utterances of Jesus were made at the same meeting of the disciples and after He had upbraided them for their hardness of heart, He breathed on them the Holy Ghost to sustain them until Pentecost. They were anointed, as many sanctified souls are today while seeking a real, personal Pentecost.
Jesus at this time also said to them (Mark 16:16, 17), "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues." Here a belief and baptism are spoken of, and the sign or evidence given to prove that you possess that belief and baptism. This scripture plainly declares that these signs SHALL follow them that believe.
We also read in Paul's epistles to the Corinthians that he speaks of nine specific gifts in the Holy Ghost. We also find in searching the word that eight of these gifts were in the church before the Day of Pentecost, the gift of tongues on this day being the power that startled the multitude.
"Now, when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, (marginal reading, troubled in mind) because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled saying one to another, behold are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in his own tongue, wherein we were born? And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are filled with new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said unto them, Ye men of Judea and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and harken to my words: for these are not drunken as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams."-Acts 2:6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.
In Luke 24:49, Jesus told His disciples to "Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
"And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."-Acts 1:4-8.
They obeyed this command, and Acts 2:4 states, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to spake with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." We see here that they ALL spoke in other tongues.
If you will now turn to Acts 10 and read the story of Peter and Cornelius, you will see that the speaking in tongues was the sign or evidence to Peter that the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost. Peter preached the Word, and they were cleansed through the Word, as the disciples before the Day of Pentecost. This was a hard dose for Peter to take, he being a Jew and having been taught that the Gentiles were dogs and unclean. God had previously given Peter a vision of a great sheet let down from heaven, filled with all manner of unclean animals, with the command, "Rise, Peter, slay and eat." The preaching of Jesus to the Gentiles was part of the eating, but Peter obeyed, and Pentecostal signs followed (Acts 10:46): "For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God."
If you will now turn to Acts 19:1-6, you will find that about twenty-nine years after Pentecost, Paul found some disciples at Ephesus that had not received their Pentecost. He preached the Word and explained to them their great privileges in the gospel, "And when Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them: and they spoke with tongues and prophesied."-Acts 19:6.
How foolish so many of us have been in the clear light of God's Word. We have been running off with blessings and anointings with God's power, instead of tarrying until Bible evidence of Pentecost came.
Sister Wettosh, a German sister of Pasadena, who was in the darkness of Romanism and in great physical suffering about a year ago, but who was marvelously saved and healed, has been baptized with the Holy Ghost, received the gift of tongues, and has gone out to carry this Gospel. Her destination was Reno, Nev.
Los Angeles, Aug. 12th, 1906. This will certify that my daughter, Mrs. S. P. Knapp, of Avenue 56 and Alameda street, was healed of consumption by God on the above date, God's Spirit working in answer to prayer and through a poor Mexican Indian. For particulars, inquire of Frank Gail, with Troy Laundry, corner 14th and Main, Los Angeles.
In a cottage meeting on Morton Ave., Elisian Heights, several souls have been baptized with the Holy Ghost, and a brother, George Hock, who has been stone blind for more than a year and a half, was saved and then received his sight. He can now read, and his relatives and friends who were unbelieving are filled with wonder and are publishing it everywhere.
Canes, crutches, medicine bottles, and glasses are being thrown aside as God heals. That is the safe way. No need to keep an old crutch or medicine bottle of any kind around after God heals you. Some, in keeping some such appliance as a souvenir, have been tempted to use them again and have lost their healing.
Jesus said, "Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me, or else believe me for the very work's sake." He is showing signs in Los Angeles, and yet some doubt, as Philip did. If you cannot understand it, just take the word of God. He said, "These signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." Believe for the very work's sake. God is confirming His word with signs following.
A young man who a year ago was in the chain gang, is now baptized with the Holy Ghost and preaching everywhere. He was a Catholic but God took all the Romanism out of him. He is telling the Catholics to get their own Bibles and the Protestants to get to God and not lean on preachers. He is a powerfully built young man, but God has so taken the fight out of him that when he was struck and spit upon in the face, he went home and was so blest that he prayed all night and said he loved the people who persecuted him more than if they had asked him to pray for them.
During the preaching service, the Holy Ghost fell on a preacher and he jumped to his feet shouting "Hallelujah!" and immediately spoken in tongues. He speaks Zulu and many tongues more fluently than English and interprets as he speaks. The Lord has since used him to stir a whole city. He is filled with divine love. His family were first afraid to see him speaking in tongues, thinking he had lost his mind, but when his wife and children felt the sympathy and divine love which the Holy Ghost puts in people's hearts, they said, "Papa was never so sane in his life."
Bro. S. J. Mead, who was sent to Africa by Bishop Taylor in 1885, has been attending the meetings for several weeks. He has the following to say of God's dealings with him:
"My heart praises God, as I trace the leadings of his blessed Spirit, in the past quarter of a century, when I first sought to know and do His blessed will. My call to Africa in 1884; the blessed thought of going out in His name, so full of comfort and victory; and yet my call to my native land and civilization is more wonderful and blessed. The getting down in quietness in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and letting him teach and show me what he would have me know of His power and omnipresence. I found it so true, He is all love, "and in Him is no darkness at all." My soul groans out this morning for the Holy Spirit to have perfect control of His temple. We often hinder the blessed wooing and power of His love by cross currents of our human mind and thought. May God help us to be little in our own eyes, not over anxious to serve much, but to love Him with all our heart, mind and strength. It is the simplicity of His love in our hearts that does the work among the heathen. The dear children of Ham are stretching out their hands for the love that is manifested in the sons of God. Often tears fill my eyes, as I think of their simplicity and kindness to us, in the years of our residence among them. One time while going down to our Annual Conference, one hundred miles from where I was situated at Malange, we often met with a slave woman, with whom we lodged nights, who showed us much kindness. She would listen to the story of the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world, and say, Tell it to me again, then I would go over it again, and she would say, tell it once more; then she said, Tell it to me on my fingers. I said to her, Hold up your hand. I bent down her first finger and said, That means that God's Son has died for you, shed His blood for your sins; now bend down the second finger, that is, if you believe it, He will take you to His home, where is no death, nor cryings, whippings nor pain; now bend down the third finger, that is if you do not believe, you will be obliged to live in a land of sorrow, pain, death and crying forever and ever. She repeated it over and over again, and we could see the truth getting into her heart. We lost sight of her for a long time; her village was burned up, her people moved away, and she had gone out of our mind. One day there was a commotion at the entrance of the compound at the Mission. I saw the same slave woman, running into the yard, leading a little boy by the hand. I did not know her at first, and she cried out, 'Don't you know me?' I remembered my lesson on my fingers,' and she repeated it over to me, and said, 'Now I know what you said about God's Son is true. See my boy,' as she pulled him by one hand. 'He was dying with smallpox and I asked the same Jesus to make him well, and He did.' Praise God, she may have preached the fundamental truth of the gospel, to more souls in Africa than myself. My brother, if our love and faith were but more simple, to take God at His word, our life would be full of sunshine and it would lighten and brighten up the dark places, that sin has caused on God's beautiful earth."
God called Bro. Mead and wife from the Central part of Africa to Los Angeles to get their Pentecost. They recognize some of the languages spoken as being dialects of Africa. When God has fully equipped them they will return to their labor of love.
We meet many honest souls these days who are under the delusion that they have committed the unpardonable sin. The following incident should be an encouragement to such.
A child of God was attacked by the enemy with the suggestion that she was forsaken of God and had committed the unpardonable sin. She was then on a mission field in the South, separated from other Christian workers; and without any apparent cause, the archenemy that tempted our Savior told her that God hated her. The words, "God hates you" seemed to be continually shouted in her ears and she could not get away from it. She lost her faith and believed the enemy, not knowing his power. The next suggestion was, "Drown yourself in the river." She stood looking into the dark water, but the thought of her dear mother made her turn away.
She returned to her room, and throwing herself down, fell asleep and dreamed. She seemed to be on a boat on which all the people but herself were rejoicing and praising God. She heard the captain call out to the pilot, "Sound the depths and compare it with the love of God." The depths were sounded and the call came back "No bottom! No bottom!" She awoke in an ocean of God's love, all darkness past and the cry ringing in her ears, "No bottom!" For years since then she has been in Gospel work on both sides of the ocean.
A young lady who came into the meeting unsaved, went to the altar during the sermon, under deep conviction, and was saved in about five minutes. Before that evening was over, she was sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost and had the gift of the Chinese tongue and was singing in Chinese in the Spirit. Her mother followed her to the altar and has also been saved, sanctified, baptized with the Holy Ghost and healed of asthma and heart trouble, which the doctors said was incurable.
We preach old-time Repentance, old-time conversion, old-time sanctification, and old-time baptism with the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of power upon the sanctified life, and God throws in the gift of tongues.
1st. Justification deals with our actual sins. When we go to Him and repent, God washes all the guilt and pollution out of our hearts, and we stand justified like a new babe that never committed sin. We have no condemnation. We can walk with Jesus and live a holy life before the Lord, if we walk in the Spirit.
2nd. Sanctification is the second and last work of grace. After we are justified, we have two battles to fight. There is sin inside and sin outside. There is warfare within, caused by the old inherited sin. When God brings the word, "It is the will of God, even your sanctification," we should accept the word, and then the blood comes and takes away all inherited sin. Everything is heavenly in your soul; you are a son of God. The Spirit of God witnesses in your heart that you are sanctified.
3rd. The Spirit begins then and there leading us on to the Baptism with the Holy Ghost. Now, as a son of God, you should enter into the earnest of your inheritance. After you have a clear witness of the two works of grace in your heart, you can receive this gift of God, which is a free gift without repentance. Pray for the power of the Holy Ghost, and God will give you a new language. It is the privilege of everyone to be filled with the Holy Ghost. It is for every believing child.
About 28 years ago, I went into a meeting to break it up, and the Lord broke me up. My conversion I never could doubt. I was called to preach and refused, and went on for a number of years trying to get away from the call. Finally I obeyed the Lord, and started in to work for Him, but not to preach. The Lord sanctified my soul. Then I commenced to try to preach. About two years after, the Lord appeared to me in a dream. He so filled me with His Spirit that people were not able to stand up before me, for a time. A few days after, He told me to give up my business, and make my wants known to Him, and not to man. I obeyed. The Lord supplied my every need, and was with me in revival meetings and in healing many that I prayed for. But I heard of people receiving the Holy Ghost and speaking with tongues. I came to Los Angeles to investigate, and found it was a fact, and earnestly commenced to seek the Lord for the baptism with the Holy Ghost. And the Lord, knowing my heart, came and took possession of me and spoke with my tongue. I want to say to every person, test God and you will never deny the baptism with the Holy Ghost.
It has been said of the work in Los Angeles that He was "born in a manger and resurrected in a barn." Many are praising God for the old barn-like building on Azusa street, and the plain old plank beside which they kneeled in the sawdust when God saved, sanctified and baptized them with the Holy Ghost. Those who know God feel His presence as soon as they cross the threshold. "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" "Come and see." This is the Nazareth of Los Angeles. Some have come from long distances to this spot, directed of the Lord, and the humble have always been greatly blest. The work began among the colored people. God baptized several sanctified wash women with the Holy Ghost, who have been much used of Him. The first white woman to receive the Pentecost and gift of tongues in Los Angeles was Mrs. Evans who is now in the work in Oakland. Since then multitudes have come. God makes no difference in nationality, Ethiopians, Chinese, Indians, Mexicans, and other nationalities worship together.
There are a dozen or more Christian workers who are devoting their time to the salvation of souls, having been called of God from other lines of employment to devote their time in praying with the sick, preaching, working with souls at the altar, etc. We believe in the faith line for Christian workers, and no collections are taken. During the four months, meetings have been running constantly, and yet with working day and night and without purse or scrip, the workers have all been kept well and provided with food and raiment. Workers who have received calls to foreign lands are going out, the Lord providing the means with no needs being presented. The ones that give, give as the Lord speaks to them and do not want their names mentioned. It is a poor time in these last days to hoard up treasures on earth. When the Lord speaks, it is a blessing to those that obey Him, but we covet no man's gold, nor silver, nor apparel.
A sister who was called to Oakland had her faith tested as to her fare, as the time was near and she had not received it. That night she was caught away in the Spirit and when the Lord brought her back, the words came to her, "If I can carry you around Los Angeles without a body, I can take you to Oakland without a fare." So that day she received the money.
Hermon is a small Free Methodist settlement in the hills near Los Angeles. At cottage prayer meetings being held there, the Holy Ghost has manifested His presence in a marvelous way. The church people stand aloof to a great extent, but God is overthrowing all opposition.
At a meeting recently held in a cottage near the church, one sister was baptized with the Holy Ghost on the front porch. She lay under the power of God for something like two hours, praising God and speaking in an unknown language.
Two nights afterward, at another cottage prayer meeting, the house was filled to overflowing with people. The meeting lasted until one o'clock in the morning. Five were baptized with the Holy Ghost and three were sanctified. Two sisters lay under the power of God until after one o'clock, speaking and singing in unknown tongues. The singing could be heard over the hills. This is stirring the people, and God is going to work wonders in this place. He recognizes no man-made creeds, doctrines, nor classes of people, but "the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land."
It is our privilege to earnestly contend for the power that was in the early apostolic church—that men will be instantaneously healed and will be baptized with the Holy Ghost instantaneously. The power of God is going to fall on men in this city. He wants people that will believe in Him and exercise the faith. Faith moves God, that is one thing that makes God get in a hurry, when he can get the faith. When they put Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail, they went joyfully. They sang and prayed and at midnight God heard their prayers in heaven and shook the earth till doors flew open. The jailer trembled and was going to take his life. He fell under conviction, and what happened? They all got saved. I believe those men had faith in God. When they called upon God, something happened. When are we going to get that perfect faith? The Lord is just preparing His people now for the work He is going to do. We have been a long ways from it. The devil does not like to see us getting back, but God is going to overrule.
All these 6,000 years, we have been fighting against sin and Satan. Soon we shall have a rest of 1,000 years. We are going to rest from our 6,000 years of toil in a reign of 1,000 years. That will be the millennial age. (Jude14,15). The saints who have part in the first resurrection will return with Jesus and reign over unglorified humanity. (Rev. 20:4). Our place will be higher than the angels, because we are partakers of His divine nature and His immortality, and angels are simply pure spirits. We can go and come, just as Jesus did when He rose from the dead. We can vanish out of sight and go millions of miles in a second. Paul prayed that the Ephesians might know, "What is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ when he raised Him from the dead." We shall be "like unto His glorious body." (Phil.3:21). We shall have the same privilege as He had, for "we shall be like him." We shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of our Father. We shall be in the heavenly image.
That is the time when the lion and calf shall lie down together and a little child shall lead them. (Isa.11:6-9). That is the time when God is going to give some two cities to reign over and some ten, and the twelve apostles will reign over the twelve tribes of Israel.
In the millennial age, we shall have great glory; but it will be still greater glory when Satan has been judged and cast into the lake of fire; and the meek, the justified souls, shall inherit the earth, and we shall be living in the new heaven and the New Jerusalem and Jesus will turn the kingdom over into His Father's hand and sit down among the brethren, and we shall have the same glory that Jesus had with His Father before the foundation of the world. God will be all in all and we shall be swallowed up in immortality. (I.Cor. 5:24).
It is wonderful how God sent His Son to take little worms of dust and to transform us into glory and immortality. We do not know what it means till we begin seeking God. "He that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself even as he is pure." We must go on to perfection and holiness, and get the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and not stop there, but go on to perfection and maturity. God has many things to teach us as we remain humble at His feet.
On Aug. 11th, a man from the central part of Mexico, an Indian, was present in the meeting and heard a German sister speaking in his tongue which the Lord had given her. He understood, and through the message that God gave him through her, he was most happily converted so that he could hardly contain his joy. All the English he knew was Jesus Christ and Hallelujah. He testified in his native language, which was interpreted by a man who had been among that tribe of Indians. This rough Indian, under the power of the Spirit was led to go and lay his hands on a woman in the congregation who was suffering from consumption, and she was instantly healed and arose and testified.
Jesus said, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." The cleansing took place before the Pentecostal baptism. Jesus said on that night before he was betrayed, "Now are ye clean, but not all." (He knew that Judas had the devil in him). The disciples had been sanctified before Pentecost, for the word of God is true. We know they had been justified a long time before, for he said, "Rejoice not that the devils are subject unto you but rejoice because your names are written in heaven." And we know they were sanctified when Jesus prayed for them, for Jesus’ prayers did not have to be answered in the future but were answered right there. He said, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." They were not only sanctified but had received the Holy Spirit in a certain measure, because He breathed on them in the upper room and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." Some have put it off that they were not sanctified until Pentecost. But we know the Spirit only follows the blood. The heart must be clean before the Holy Ghost can endue with power from on high. It is not the work of the Holy Ghost to burn up inherited sin and carnality he is not our Savior. It is the blood that cleanseth us from all sin. The disciples were cleansed and sanctified and were sitting and waiting when the Holy Ghost fell upon them.
We know also that Cornelius was clean, for when the Lord let down the sheet before Peter, he said, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common," or unclean. The Holy Ghost fell on them as at the beginning and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
The hundred and twenty on the day of Pentecost were baptized with the Holy Ghost according to promise. The converts of Philip in the Samaritan revival were baptized with the Holy Ghost, when Peter and John came from Jerusalem and preached the doctrine to them. The household of Cornelius received the same endowment of power, showing that the promise was also extended to the Gentiles. Again to the Corinthian church is the record given of the fulfillment of the promise. That the Apostolic church had wonderful power is evidenced by its remarkable growth, as well as by the record of the Word. We have the promise of the same power today. How about its fulfillment?
But did not Paul prophecy that these things should be done away? Let us see. I Cor.13:8 charity never faileth: Whether there be prophecies they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. Sometimes, not stopping to find out when this shall be, we jump at the conclusion that these things have been done away. We have only to read the next two verses to be set clear. "For we know in part, and we prophecy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." Paul knew only in part, and prophesied in part, and spoke in tongues only in part; but when that which is perfect is come, then the knowledge, prophecy, and tongues of Paul shall be done away. If they are to be done away on that great and notable day of the Lord, they must be in existence when He shall come. Divine love never faileth. But when He comes these other things shall fail. God's promises must last till by God's own word they are withdrawn.
At the beginning of the Eighteenth century, among the French Protestants, there were wonderful manifestations of the Spirit power accompanied by the Gift of Tongues. The early Quakers received the same powerful religious stimulus and had the Gift of Tongues. The Irvingite church, about 1830, had the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and spoke in other tongues. In the Swedish revival in 1841-43 there were the same manifestations of the Spirit and also the Gift of Tongues. In the Irish revival of 1859 there is the record of the power of the Spirit in winning souls and the speaking in tongues by Spirit filled men and women. (For the above facts, my authority is Bishop Hurst's History of the Christian Church, Vol.1). Bishop Taylor left the record that he took a young lady to labor among a certain tribe in Africa, and left her preaching through an interpreter; but returned two months later and found her preaching fluently in the native language, without having learned it.
A drunkard got under conviction in a street meeting, and raised his hand to be prayed for. They prayed for the devil of drink to be cast out, and the appetite was gone. He came to the meeting and was saved, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost, and in three days from the time he was drunk he was speaking in a new tongue and praising God for Pentecost. He hardly knows himself.
A sister was healed of consumption when she had but a part of a lung left. She lay in a trance for three days and saw heaven and hell and unutterable things. She received the Pentecost and gift of tongues and feels called to a foreign land.
The preaching of old time restitution is owned of the Lord. People have been paying up old debts, making wrongs right, getting hard feelings out of the way, etc. One who was saved from drink confessed to crimes and offered himself to pay the penalty of the law. People living in adultery or where one party had a living husband or wife have separated, and God is wonderfully pouring out His Spirit on this line of things.
The first time I was out of wood after the Lord had shown me to trust Him, I asked the Lord for wood and the wood did not come. The Lord had shown me that I could not ask for what I already had. If there was flour in the barrel, I could not ask for flour till it was gone. I went down into the basement that morning and found some hard knots that had been laid aside and had enough wood for that day. The next morning I asked the Lord for wood. The wood did not come. I picked up enough chunks and chips to do that day.
The next morning, I went to the Lord and said, "Father, there are no more chunks and chips, we are out of wood. Send the wood." I went down to the city and forgot all about it. Did not think of it, until I returned home, and my daughter said, "Papa, who brought the wood?" I told her that "she need not trouble, the Lord would send it." But she said, "some man brought wood, who was he that you sent it by?" I thought she was joking, but she said, "Look in the box and in the basement." I went down and found a large load of wood already for the stove and just the length that we used in our stove.
I did not know for some time who brought the wood; but one day when holding meetings in South Seattle, a man invited me home with him, and while at dinner he said, "I want to tell you something that happened to me. I was crossing the bridge with a load of wood. My wife had written out a bill of some things that we had to have, and I needed feed for my horses. I was taking this load of wood in to get the groceries and feed. While out on the bridge and no one near me, an audible voice said behind me and just above me, 'Take this wood to McConnell.' I looked around me and there was no one near me. I said, 'I cannot take this wood to McConnell, I have got to have the groceries and feed,' and drove on. The voice said again, 'Take this wood to T.W. McConnell.' I said, 'How can I take this wood to McConnell; I must have these groceries and feed for my horses.' And the third time the voice spoke, and so strong that it scared me, and I answered, 'Well, I will,' for I believed it was the Lord talking. There was no one about.
"I went and made inquiry, finally looked in the directory and found where you lived. I drove to the house and unloaded the wood, then drove back home as quickly as I could, loaded up some wood that I had and drove back to town, sold my wood as soon as I reached town, got my feed and groceries, and from that time I have prospered as never before."
T.W.M.
A band of workers left Los Angeles for Oakland. All are baptized with the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues. They are Bro. G.W. Evans and wife, Sister Crawford, Bro. Johnson, Louisa Condit and Bro. Manley, editor of the Household of God. Bro. Manley had come down from Oakland especially to see the movement but did not receive his Pentecost till after he returned. Reports brought back by Bro. Evans are that hundreds have been at the altar, many converted and sanctified and healed, and thirty have received their Pentecost and are speaking in tongues. Praise God! The saints of Los Angeles rejoice to hear the good report.
A gentleman came saying, "I have been afflicted with paralysis eighteen long years, if you can do anything, will you lay your hands on me? Before he was prayed for, he called a physician to be a witness. The Lord relieved the man of his distress in the presence of the physician.
A minister in the city was raised up after eight years of suffering.
A man who was deaf and said he had not been able to hear for half his life was prayed for. God instantly gave him his hearing, when he was anointed and prayed for. He was a practicing physician in Oakland. He weighs between three and four hundred pounds. The Lord dropped him on the floor and gave him the Pentecost.
A Pentecostal missionary has left for foreign lands, Bro. Thos. P. Mahler, a young man of German nationality. He has the gift of tongues besides the knowledge of several. He left here for San Bernardino. He may go by way of Alaska, Russia, Norway, and Germany to his destination in Africa. As our brother was leaving, Bro. Post spoke of his call and gave a message in tongues in regard to Bro. Mahler which he interpreted as follows: "I have anointed this dear one with my Spirit, and he is a chosen vessel to me to preach the gospel to many, and to suffer martyrdom in Africa." We are expecting to hear from our brother reports of God's doings. Our prayers follow him.
The secular papers have said, "These people are buying their ascension robes." Now it is not our place to refute any reports, but as this brings up the subject of ascension robes, we do believe in buying them of Jesus, for He said, "Buy of me *** raiment." We believe the time of ascension is drawing nigh when "The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds." (1Thes. 4:16,17). We shall not rise to meet Him in grave clothes or any earthly clothing. We shall leave them behind as Jesus did when he left the tomb. For John saw the linen clothes lying," and Peter following him, "seeth the linen clothes lie and the napkin that was about his head." Yet Jesus was clothed when the disciples met Him. So will we be when we are changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, clothed in garments not made with hands, fit for the bride of Christ to wear in the courts of Heaven.
The garments that Jesus wore after His resurrection could appear and disappear and pass through bolted doors and walls. They were none such as are worn on earth. Many who are proud of their clothing here are selling their birthright for a mess of pottage and know not what they are losing. It matters not how poor our clothing may be, the Lord knows those who are ready and all glorious within.”
Brother and Sister A.G. Garr, former leaders of the Burning Bush work in Los Angeles, were powerfully baptized with the Holy Ghost and received the gift of tongues, especially the language of India and dialects. Bro. Garr was able to pray a native of India "through" in his own language, the Bengali. Sister Garr also spoke Chinese. They left Los Angeles for the East in July going by the way of Chicago, where they met with the Burning Bush leaders, then on to Danville, Va., where they have been preaching to hungry souls. From there, they will go on to India, D.V.
In a letter from Bro. Garr we learn that God is honoring His precious gospel in a marvelous way, reclaiming, sanctifying and filling with the Holy Ghost nearly all the members of the old Burning Bush band. The brother writes that when they spoke in tongues the people had such confidence in their Pentecostal baptism that those who were sick were immediately healed.
We clip the following from the Apostolic Faith published by Bro. Chas. Parham at Baxter, Kan.
"A remarkable incident of God's searching power was recorded in Melrose, Kan., during a revival which has been held by some of our young people at that place.
"The power of the Holy Spirit was greatly manifested in the meetings by the speaking in unknown tongues. This was much criticized by the town and vicinity, so the principal physician, who was familiar with several different languages, was prevailed upon to go to the meetings in order to denounce the whole as a fake. Miss Tuthill, in an unknown language to herself, but known to him as Italian, spoke his full name, which no one in the town knew save himself, telling him things that had happened in his life twenty years ago, and on up to the present time, until he cried for mercy and fell on his knees seeking God.
"He found full salvation the next day, and is now a believer in 'the Gospel' that Jesus taught, and also in the power of the Holy Ghost that was given unto us to witness to a living Christ. He now says he would rather pray for the sick than give drugs, and is seriously thinking of leaving his profession and going into the Lord's work.
"Many precious souls have been saved, sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost as a result of the preached word under the Spirit's anointing power."
A song in an unknown tongue was interpreted as follows:
"With one accord, all heaven rings,
With praises to our God and King;
Let earth join in our song of praise,
And ring it out through all the days."
Think of what hung on that momentous hour that Jesus suffered. No hour in all history has been fraught with such eternal interests. It was a crucial hour and He was a willing offering. He said, "What shall I say, Father save Me from this hour? But for this cause came I into this world." There is a crucial hour in every man's and every woman's life. Someone now may be facing their cross, their Gethsemane. Will you say, "Father save me from this hour?" You know the blessing that came when Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame. Face the hour. God will give you grace for the hour of your opportunity. Some are drawing back. Let us pray, "Lord, save me from drawing back." Our Christ, who went every step of the way, says, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." When we get on the resurrection side of the cross, the glory and victory will be unspeakable.
If you receive a sample copy of this paper and wish it continued, send your name and address to The Apostolic Faith, 312 Azusa Street, Los Angeles, Cal. Subscription free. If you know of any hungry souls to whom you wish the paper sent, send in their addresses and as the Lord permits we will send the paper. We are having 5,000 of this issue printed. The money came in answer to prayer. The next issue will come out as He permits.
Sister Anna Hall, who came here from Houston, Texas, in response to the call of God, is now assisting in Los Angeles. The Lord led her into the Pentecostal Baptism and gift of tongues without her hearing the truth except from the Word. She related the following wonderful vision and revelation.
A few weeks ago, as we were in our camp meeting, the first night we called our altar service there were 100 at the altar seeking God, and a strange power came into my being that I had felt once before when God wanted to reveal something to me. I have learned that it pays to be quiet before the Lord. I went home to my daughter's house and prepared for bed. Just as the gray dawn began to appear, I waked as if someone had touched my shoulder, and felt the same power. I heard the beautiful warbling of a bird, and thought it was a mocking bird which one might hear there. But no, it seemed away down in my soul. And as that beautiful bird began to sing, I saw a little infant face right before my eyes. And as the song of the bird began to ripple, it began to sound like water running over pebbles. It increased till it sounded like many waters, and the face enlarged till it was a full-grown face. I said, "Surely this is a messenger from the holy country." The voice answered, "Yes and I have come to tell you that Jesus is coming. Go forward in My name, preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, for the King's business demands haste. My people have only time to get on the beautiful garments, and prepare for the wedding supper in the Heavens." Dear ones, have you got on the beautiful robes of righteousness? I said, "Lord, reveal unto me what this means, the singing of the bird and rippling of the waters." And God spoke to me, "The singing of the beautiful bird and the baby face was the proclamation of the first coming into the world; and the voice of many waters is the proclamation of Jesus Christ that is soon coming."
Repent and believe the Gospel, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Bro. J.A. Warren of Houston, Texas, relates his experience as follows: "I had suffered two years from chills and fever and could never get rid of them. I was down with them, when it was told to me that the Lord would heal us and wanted to do it without the help of medicine, so I made up my mind that I would not have another chill; that the Lord would heal me. My chill was to come on about seven o'clock in the morning. It started to come and I was about to call my people to put more cover over me, when I thought how I had taken the Lord for my healer. So I got up and dressed and would not let the devil bring a chill on me, but prepared for breakfast. When the ice wagon came along and my little grandchild called my attention to it, I started to say, "No, I will not take ice for this is my chill day." (I was in the habit of taking ice only on the day I had fever). Then I stopped myself and said, "Yes, I will take ice," and I drank ice water all day. I was healed and in two months had gained about twenty-five pounds in flesh."
Different nationalities are now hearing the Gospel in their own "tongue wherein they were born." Sister Anna Hall spoke to the Russians in their church in Los Angeles, in their own language as the Spirit gave utterance. They were so glad to hear the truth that they wept and even kissed her hands. They are a very simple, pure, and hungry people for the full Gospel. The other night, as a company of Russians were present in the meeting, Bro. Lee, a converted Catholic, was permitted to speak their language. As he spoke and sang, one of the Russians came up and embraced him. It was a holy sight, and the Spirit fell upon the Russians, as well as on others, and they glorified God.
A baptismal service was held at Terminal Island, one of the beaches near Los Angeles. One hundred and six persons were baptized in the ocean. About 500 people went down from Los Angeles and spent the day. A number of extra cars were filled and such a singing, shouting, joyful company Terminal Island never saw before. The day was spent in services of worship and the baptismal service. Bro. Seymour performed the baptismal services. All were immersed.
Monrovia, Pasadena, San Pedro, Sawtelle, and Whittier are places about Los Angeles that are catching the Pentecostal fire. Elysian Heights and Hermon, suburbs of Los Angeles have cottage prayer meetings where souls are being baptized with the Holy Ghost. Two holiness churches, one in Los Angeles and one in Monrovia have caught the fire, the ministers and numbers of the congregation having received the Pentecost and are speaking with tongues. The Burning Bush workers in Los Angeles came into the movement in a body and numbers of the different missions and the New Testament and Nazarene people are being filled with the Spirit and carrying the blessed light to other hungry souls. It is not our desire to tear down churches but to make new churches out of old ones. We pray for God to send the Pentecost to every church.
We earnestly invoke God to manage the publication of this sheet and He is editor-in-chief and business manager. We publish it with the clear leading of the Lord. Hundreds of workers and missionaries will be represented in it. We wish no human writer to receive any honor but that it might be all to the glory of God, and that it may voice the power and presence of Almighty God who is moving on the people in Los Angeles and over the world. We start with not a cent in sight, but in the little upper room office above the mission on Azusa Street, we dropped on our knees and asked Him to send the means to publish the paper. In a short time, the money began to be sent in. No debt will be incurred. The paper will only be published as the money comes in advance.
A message that was given in tongues for God's people was this, "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God." He is now about to move on the world in a mighty wave of Pentecostal power and salvation. A sister had a vision of God's people as vessels that were full, and the Lord said, "The vessels must be emptied and I will fill them."
A brother who has been baptized with the Holy Ghost was arrested on account of the disturbance which the preaching of the Gospel created among the people who crowded about the tent in Pasadena. As he stood to answer the accusation of disturbing the peace, another brother says he saw an angel standing by his side. He was released. The Lord has been doing great things in that place and we expect greater things.
Some workers were preaching on the street corner in Los Angeles and a poor drunkard had just been saved, when a policeman came up and ordered them to stop, and took two of them off to jail. The sister sang all the way to the jail and shouted and prayed while they were there. They soon were anxious to get rid of them and let them go. Meantime the other workers returned to the mission and told how the workers had been arrested and they all went to the altar and prayed and arose praising God; and soon in walked the ones who had been arrested. We are ready not only to go to prison, but to give our lives for Jesus.
A band of three missionaries, Bro. Andrew Johnson and Sisters Louisa Condit and Lucy M. Leatherman, who have been baptized with the Holy Ghost and received the gift of languages, have left for Jerusalem, going by way of Oakland, leaving there Aug. 10th. Reports came of meetings on the way that four souls received the Pentecost in Colorado Springs and three in Denver. Bro. Johnson has received seven different languages, one of which is the Arabic. Sister Leatherman speaks the Turkish language, and while in Oakland, some were talking on the street about the gift of tongues; Sister Leatherman began to speak just as a man wearing the Turkish fez came by. He listened in wonder and asked what college she had attended, saying she spoke the most perfect Turkish tongue he had heard spoken by a foreigner. He was an educated man from a Turkish college in Constantinople. She told him the Holy Ghost gave her the language which she did not understand herself and he was the first person that had interpreted for her.
When we leave the Blood out, Satan has power to switch us into fanaticism, but no powers out of hell are able to make their way through the Blood.
This is a worldwide revival, the last Pentecostal revival to bring our Jesus. The church is taking her last march to meet her beloved.
Bro. John Matthews, a minister of San Luis Obispo, writes that himself and little flock are in harmony with the Los Angeles revival and waiting on the Lord for Pentecost to come that way.
A returned missionary from the interior of Africa was present in the meeting, when a sister testified in an African tongue which the brother interpreted to be, "The Lord is my husband."
A band of four Spirit baptized workers left for Arizona. We hardly know people's names in this movement and have failed to get these names. We hope to have a report from them.
"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." We took that to mean sanctification, but since we have received the Pentecost, we see what the rivers of living water mean. It is the Lord preaching His own sermons and singing His own songs and prophesying.
"Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: For he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain the first month." Joel 2:23. He gave the former rain moderately at Pentecost, and he is going to send upon us in these last days the former and latter rain. There are greater things to be done in these last days of the Holy Ghost.